1
as in overpowering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in crushing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overwhelming
Kristen Finch, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
At the same time, the overwhelming result at least bespeaks equality of access to reproductive-health technology in those countries.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
That’s a lot of sources to sift through and is pretty overwhelming!
—Kristen Finch, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
At the same time, the overwhelming result at least bespeaks equality of access to reproductive-health technology in those countries.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
The two-time Top Fuel World Champion logged a staggering speed of 341.59 mph during the qualifying runs for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at ZMax Dragway, which is set to take place tomorrow.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
-
On the contrary, staggering transformations are in full swing.—
D. Graham Burnett,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The race is technically nonpartisan but has become a de facto partisan contest, with millions of dollars flooding in from billionaire donors and outside special interest groups.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Mar. 2025
-
And in so doing, that familiar feeling of hope and optimism has come flooding back for Bears fans, who just three months ago were again left downtrodden and dejected during an abysmal 10-game losing streak.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Then, the sweet sandwich is pressed together, panini style, to create a warm and irresistible dessert.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The combination has proven particularly irresistible for streaming audiences, with the song debuting atop the Streaming Songs chart this week.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Any format that builds in a conflict of interest is unacceptable.—
Robert Greene,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Opulent, But Moreover Confident Before slapping on the Manufaktur-rich veneer of opulence, the 2025 Mercedes G550 is a stupendous SUV.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Adebayo was stupendous early; Herro was magnificent in the second half.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is especially painful for individuals who are approaching Medicare eligibility, as a conversion might result in substantially higher premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D prescription coverage.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But amidst this painful reality, a story rooted in joy, agency, and radical self-determination is emerging.—
Stephanie Long,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wang has $106,000 in independent support, the majority of it from Empower Oakland, a nonprofit co-founded by mayoral candidate Loren Taylor that has emerged as a formidable funding arm in the city’s politics.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Cornyn is considered a formidable fundraiser; he’s brought in more than $415 million during his time in the Senate.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its official report on Carter's death on April 18, 2023, attributing his cause of death to drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam, the generic form of brand-name Xanax.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share